de Young Museum

SM&W Contribution

The copper cladding that makes the de Young Museum so distinctive also made the technology design more challenging—copper interferes with wireless coverage. Shen Milsom & Wilke’s infrastructure solution included 120 wireless access points within the building: 50% more than would otherwise be needed. A major advantage is that copper contains the wireless signal, so it is harder to access from the outside.

Integrating technology into a finished space poses its own challenges. To meet aesthetic requirements, we concealed outlets in specifically designed wall pockets. Wireless access points were placed in the ceiling and display vitrines.